A gaming keyboard may be the last piece of equipment on your gaming setup, but does a good gaming keyboard make a difference in your competitive gaming pursuits? We conducted a study to answer this very question and here we present the results and our analysis of the data.
The Importance of Keyboard Quality
Keyboard quality plays a role in our input accuracy and speed. In games that require fast reactions to be successful, the right keyboard with the right features has the potential to be a major advantage. That’s why it pays to choose the right gaming keyboard. The right keyboard should offer the perfect blend of speed, precision and comfort; a good gaming keyboard offers a lot more than just extra keys or fancy designs.
Types of Gaming Keyboards
Gaming keyboards come in a variety of sizes and styles, from basic through to full-fledged gaming keyboards. Basic keyboards are simple enough to use and offer few additional features. Mid-level gaming keyboards often use mechanical switches for actuation and may also include a handful of extra features like dedicated media controls or macro keys. At the top tier, full-featured gaming keyboards come in a range of form factors, featuring the latest technologies, from RGB illumination to advanced gaming switches.
The Study
Our study consisted of two separate trials. In the first trial, we tested different models of gaming keyboards with a group of experienced gamers. In the second trial, we tested the same models with novice gamers. We measured the results of each trial based on typing speed, accuracy, comfort and overall usability.
Results
The results clearly showed that a good gaming keyboard does make a difference. The gamers using high-end gaming keyboards significantly outperformed those using basic keyboards in all metrics, including speed, accuracy, comfort and overall usability. The gamers using mid-level gaming keyboards also performed better than those using basic keyboards.
Conclusion
From our study, we can conclude that investing in a good gaming keyboard will offer an advantage in terms of speed, accuracy and comfort. The right gaming keyboard can give you an edge in those crucial gaming moments, so it pays to do your research and invest in a good one.
Advanced Gaming Switches
Advanced gaming switches offer a range of benefits over basic switches. Generally, gaming switches are designed to provide increased responsiveness, durability and accuracy. Advanced gaming switches are often rated for much higher actuation forces, so they require less effort to actuate and also provide better feedback.
Dedicated Macro Keys
Dedicated macro keys are a great feature for gamers who want to streamline their gaming experience. These keys are programmed to perform certain tasks at the press of a single key. For example, some gaming keyboards feature dedicated keys for accessing a web browser or for launching a favorite game. This can save the user a lot of time when switching between applications.
RGB Illumination
RGB Illumination is a feature found on some gaming keyboards. This powerful feature enables users to customize the look of their keyboard with a variety of colors and effects. RGB illumination can help to create an immersive gaming experience, as well as making it easier to find important keys in dark or low-light environments.
Keyboard Size
The size of the keyboard can have a big impact on the user’s experience. Generally, full-sized keyboards offer more keys, which can make them ideal for gamers who need extra function keys. However, for gamers who need portability, a smaller keyboard may be desirable. There are also some ergonomic keyboards on the market, which feature split key designs, allowing for better ergonomics in prolonged gaming sessions.
